It was weeks later when Ben asked at the dinner table, "Has anyone checked on the Hendricks' property recently?" All three boys looked down at their plates. Not one had been near the place since Joe and Ben placed the stones on David's grave.
"Well, would ONE of you please take time out of your busy schedule to stop by and take a look?" Ben said sarcastically. "Mr. Miller thinks he might have found a buyer for it, and we should make sure it's in one piece."
All three nodded their heads. "We can stop by on the way back from town tomorrow, when we get supplies, Pa." Adam said. Hoss and Joe nodded.
"Has anyone heard from the Hendricks?" asked Hoss.
"Well last we heard, they caught the ship at San Francisco, so they're probably still at sea…they won't make the east for another month… It's a long trip around the Cape."
It was late when the boys were finally able to get to the Hendricks place. As they approached, they saw a group of riders coming from the ranch at break-neck speed. Little Joe wanted to ride after them, but Hoss and Adam wanted to make sure the house was safe. As they rode up, the ranch house seemed quiet; but the boards Ben and Joe put across the front door were pulled off. Drawing their guns, the Cartwrights carefully went through the door. Adam motioned for his brothers to spread out. Joe went to the back where the bedrooms were, and Hoss went towards the kitchen. Adam searched the rooms in the front of the house.
"Oh, Lordy! You two better get in here," Hoss cried out.
Adam and Joe came running. Hoss was in the middle of the kitchen looking down at the cradle. His brothers had never seen him look so upset.
"What's wrong?" asked Joe.
"Look in there," replied Hoss quietly, nodding down toward the cradle. Adam looked in.
"Oh my God," he said under his breath.
Joe rushed up and looked down. His face fell. "Who'd do such a thing?"
In the cradle was the decaying body of little David, wrapped in the old blanket. The looks on the three Cartwrights were grim.
"I think I saw Caleb Hanks in that group that ran away," Joe said as he eased his gun out of his holster and made for the door.
Adam grabbed his younger brother by the arm and pulled him back. "We have something to do here first" He nodded over at the cradle. Joe nodded, but his face showed that he would still have other business to take care of.
They buried the little body again in his space and they each said a silent prayer for David.
"I just don't understand why anyone would do such a thing. Poor little thing never did nothin' to nobody." Hoss said sadly, shaking his head.
"Yeah, but there's some sick people in this world, like Caleb Hanks." Replied Joe fiercely.
"You don't know for sure that it was Caleb Hanks, Joe. Besides, this is something we should tell the sheriff." Adam said.
All three got on their horses, and silently Hoss and Adam were in agreement that they would keep an eye on little brother until they got to town.